Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 30 / Trend, S. Agayeva /
As always, Armenia distorts international norms and principles and tries to mislead the international community, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elman Abdullayev told journalists today.
He was commenting on Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian's statement voiced from the podium of the UN General Assembly.
Armenian Foreign Minister said that Azerbaijan's accumulation of a large number of offensive weapons threatens to destabilize not only the region but also the international situation.
"The continued occupation of Azerbaijani territories threatens to destabilize peace in the region," Abdullayev said.
According to him, Nalbandian's statement is nothing but insolence.
"Azerbaijan with its occupied territory must strengthen its military power," he stressed.
"Armenian Foreign Minister must not forget that the UN Security Council's resolutions confirm that the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions are Azerbaijan's integral part and Armenia is an occupier," Abdullayev said.
"Yerevan must understand that Azerbaijan will use all opportunities to liberate its territories," he added. "Protecting the rights of its citizens is Azerbaijan's duty."
"Nalbandian is trying to distort the text of the UN Security Council's resolutions," he added. "This testifies to Armenia's helplessness."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.